Key findings
- 1The mogul process (starch mold depositing) used to manufacture gummy bears has been a confectionery standard since the 1800s
- 2Gelatin is produced by hydrolyzing collagen from animal bones and hides using acid or alkali treatment, a significant industrial process
- 3Carnauba wax (coating) comes from the leaves of Brazilian Copernicia prunifera palms and is one of the hardest natural waxes known
Why is Gummy Bears ultra-processed on average?
Gummy bear production is a precise industrial process. Gelatin (derived from collagen in animal bones and hides through acid or alkali hydrolysis) is dissolved in a sugar-corn syrup-water mixture, heated, combined with artificial flavors, colors, and citric acid, then deposited into starch molds to set. The starch mold system (mogul process) is itself an engineering achievement: cornstarch is pressed into bear-shaped impressions, liquid gummy is deposited, then the pieces cure for 24-48 hours. After demolding, gummies are coated with carnauba wax (from Brazilian palm leaves) or beeswax for shine and to prevent sticking. Each color represents a different synthetic dye: Red 40 (strawberry), Yellow 5 (lemon), Yellow 6 (orange), and combinations for other flavors. Some brands list fewer ingredients than others, but the process is the same. In our analysis, gummy bears average a Processing Score of 11.5, which is Level 4.
How 1,369 gummy bears products break down
Share of products at each processing level, in our analysis.
Gummy Bears brand comparison
From least to most processed in our database.
How to read a gummy bears label
- 1
Gelatin is derived from animal collagen through industrial hydrolysis; not vegetarian
- 2
Each color is a different synthetic dye: Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1
- 3
Carnauba wax or beeswax coating provides the glossy finish
- 4
"Natural flavors" in gummy bears still means industrial flavor compounds, just derived from natural sources
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Frequently asked questions
Are gummy bears made from real fruit?
No. Standard gummy bears contain no fruit. The flavors are artificial or "natural" flavor compounds, and the colors are synthetic dyes. Some premium brands (SmartSweets, Black Forest) use fruit juice concentrate for color, but the base is still gelatin and corn syrup.
Are gummy bears vegetarian?
Most are not. Traditional gummy bears use gelatin derived from animal collagen (typically pork or beef). Vegan alternatives use pectin (fruit-based) instead of gelatin but are equally processed in other respects.
Are Haribo gummy bears less processed than other brands?
Haribo uses a slightly simpler ingredient list (glucose syrup, sugar, gelatin, dextrose, fruit juice concentrates for some varieties), but the manufacturing process is identical across brands. Search Haribo to see its own score.